INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a known modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and guidelines recommend maintaining a body mass index of 20–25 kg/m2 to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, several studies have reported that obese patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may have better short- and long-term survival than their normal-weight counterparts-a phenomenon known as the “obesity paradox.” The effect of this paradox in ACS patients treated exclusively with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. This retrospective, two-center cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of BMI on long-term mortality in ACS patients undergoing PCI, with a 3 years follow-up period.
METHODS: A total of 1,198 patients were categorized according to BMI as normal weight (n=321), overweight (n=753), and obese (n=124). Survival across BMI categories was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank testing. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models (backward likelihood ratio method) were performed to identify predictors of long-term mortality.
RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was lowest among obese patients (2.2%) compared to overweight (2.8%) and normal-weight patients (7.4%) (χ2=12.448; p=0.002). Over a 3 years follow-up, mortality remained significantly lower in the obese (6.5%) and overweight (8.5%) groups compared with the normal-weight group (20.1%) (χ2=30.662; p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, smoking increased mortality risk by approximately 50% (Hazard ratio [HR]: 1.508; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.030–2.208; p=0.035), whereas obesity (HR: 0.297; 95% CI: 0.128–0.688; p=0.005) and overweight (HR: 0.404; 95% CI: 0.282–0.578; p<0.001) significantly reduced mortality risk.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although obesity remains a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, the present findings support the existence of an obesity paradox among ACS patients treated with PCI. Obese and overweight patients demonstrated a 60–70% lower risk of long-term mortality compared with normal-weight patients. These results highlight the need for a more nuanced approach to risk stratification and treatment planning in this patient group.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic lung diseases affect quality of life and are characterized by dyspnea and exacerbation. In addition to pharmacological treatments, pulmonary rehabilitation programs aim to reduce the impact of the disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of breathing exercises (BEs) on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma.
METHODS: In this retrospective study, a total of 60 patients diagnosed with COPD (n = 30) and asthma (n = 30) were included between August 2020 and March 2021. All participants performed BEs 4 days a week for 4 weeks, and their effects were evaluated. The functional status of the participants was evaluated with PFT (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume-1 (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow) parameters and dyspnea severity with the modified Borg scale. In addition, blood oxygen saturation and heart rate were also recorded and evaluated.
RESULTS: After 4 weeks BEs program, it was observed that there was an increase in FEV1/FVC value among PFT parameters in patients diagnosed with asthma and no significant change in other values, while there was no change in pulmonary function parameters, blood oxygen saturation and heart rate results in patients diagnosed with COPD.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was found that PFT parameters, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rate remained stable during the 4-week follow-up period in individuals with COPD and asthma who performed BE.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge levels and experiences of women regarding traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practices following cesarean delivery. With the increasing rates of cesarean sections, complications such as pain, infection, and prolonged recovery have become more common, leading women to seek supportive interventions during the postpartum period. However, research on this topic in Türkiye is limited.
METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 82 women who had undergone cesarean delivery at least 2 years prior. Participants were recruited using snowball and convenience sampling methods, and data were collected through an online survey between May and August 2025. The data collection tools included a “Descriptive Information Form” and the “Traditional and Complementary Medicine Attitude Scale (TCMAS).” Data analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25.0.
RESULTS: Of the participants, 68.2% had used at least one TCM method after cesarean delivery. The most commonly preferred practices were herbal teas/mixtures (30.5%), heat applications (11.0%), and massage (7.3%). Participants primarily learned about these practices through their own research (24.4%) and the Internet/social media (13.4%). The mean TCM attitude scale score was 111.26±21.12, indicating that women generally had a positive attitude toward TCM. A significant difference was found between women who considered TCM practices harmful and those who considered them harmless (p=0.027).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that women show interest in and have a positive attitude toward TCM practices after cesarean delivery. However, these practices are often applied irregularly and without sufficient knowledge. It is important for healthcare professionals to provide guidance and education on TCM during postpartum care.

INTRODUCTION: Post-operative gastrointestinal dysfunction is common after neurosurgical procedures and may prolong hospitalization. Early mobilization is a key intervention in enhanced recovery after surgery-based nursing care to facilitate the timely return of bowel activity. Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the association between post-operative mobilization timing and recovery of bowel function (first bowel sound, first flatus, and first defecation) in neurosurgical patients.
METHODS: This descriptive correlational study was conducted at a tertiary neurosurgical center between August 02, 2023, and February 02, 2024. A total of 178 adults who underwent brain or spinal surgery and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were collected using a semi-structured form covering demographics, perioperative variables, time to first mobilization, and bowel function indicators. Normality was assessed; due to non-normal distributions, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman correlation tests were used (IBM the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 25.0). The significance level was set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: The mean time to first mobilization was 18.94±19.09 h. The mean times to the first bowel sound, first flatus, and first defecation were 6.83±2.11 h, 13.30±7.21 h, and 34.30±20.67 h, respectively. Early mobilization was significantly associated with shorter bowel recovery times across outcomes (p<0.001 for all non-parametric comparisons). Correlation analyses confirmed significant associations between mobilization timing and each bowel function indicator.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The findings support the integration of structured early mobilization into routine post-operative nursing care for neurosurgical patients to accelerate gastrointestinal recovery and potentially reduce post-operative complications.

Falls are a significant health issue for older adults. They can lead to injuries, disabilities, loss of independence, and higher healthcare costs. Orthopedic issues such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, fractures, joint replacements, spinal deformities, and foot disorders significantly increase the risk of falling. These conditions can cause pain, limit mobility, reduce proprioception, and affect balance. This creates a cycle of immobility and repeated falls, which shows the need for effective prevention methods. Traditional approaches, including exercise programs, medication, nutritional support, environmental changes, and assistive devices, continue to be vital in preventing falls. However, new technology offers fresh ways to address the complex problem of falls in older adults. Wearable sensors with inertial measurement units can continuously track walking and balance. This allows for early detection of risks and timely preventive actions. Robotics and exoskeletons provide targeted training and support, especially after orthopedic surgeries. Virtual and augmented reality tools create engaging balance training that boosts motivation and lowers the fear of falling. Tele-rehabilitation and mobile health applications offer personalized care at home, while artificial intelligence and predictive analytics provide tailored risk assessments and proactive solutions. Smart home and assisted living technologies also help by reducing hazards and providing immediate fall alerts. Fall prevention can evolve from clinic-based methods to continuous, personalized, and technology-driven strategies. These combined approaches show great potential for lowering fall-related issues, supporting independence, and improving the quality of life for the growing elderly population.

This systematic review was planned to systematically examine the factors affecting international nurse migration. The study population consisted of 290 articles accessed by searching the cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature, PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases between January 2019 and April 2024. Articles that were published between specified dates, whose publication language was Turkish or English, whose sample was nurses, and whose full text could be accessed were selected for sampling. The date of access to the data study was May 20, 2024. Three studies included in the study were cross-sectional, three were qualitative, and two were mixed-method. Nurse migration is caused by opportunities abroad, where 23.82% of participants expressed interest; job insecurity and escape from unemployment affect 8.68% of participants; economic factors also play an important role and affect a total of 8.43% of participants; and career advancement expectations affect 6.31% of participants. Findings of the study, which focused only on nursing professionals, shed light on the important factors that drive migration decisions in this demographic group. Main factors are the search for better career opportunities, living standards, and efforts to reduce job insecurity and unemployment. Economic concerns and desire for career advancement also emerged as noteworthy motivations.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common injuries experienced by athletes. ACL injuries not only have effects on the musculoskeletal system, but can also lead to significant changes in neurocognitive processes. This study examines 46 studies published between 2018 and 2024. Keywords such as sensorimotor dysfunction, visual reliance, return to play/sports, neuroscience, and neural plasticity/neuroplasticity were used in searches conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The review provides an in-depth analysis under the headings of ACL injuries, neurocognitive abilities, neural compensations, visual reliance, and the development of return-to-sport (RTS) tests. ACL injuries lead to neurocognitive changes that affect athletes’ motor control, attention, and executive functions. Impairments in these functions can result in coordination deficits and increased injury risk. Visual reliance emerges as a compensatory mechanism used by the central nervous system (CNS) to address proprioceptive deficits following ACL injuries. However, heightened visual-cognitive demands may prolong decision-making times and reduce movement efficiency in athletes. Neural compensation processes involve neuroplasticity and adaptive changes to recover lost sensorimotor functions. During this process, the CNS requires increased brain activation to maintain motor control. Moreover, advanced RTS tests developed post-ACL injury aim to evaluate not only biomechanical performance but also neurocognitive functions. In conclusion, investigating neurocognitive changes following ACL injuries offers novel insights into rehabilitation strategies. Neurocognitive-enhanced RTS tests and rehabilitation programs to account for these changes can better support athletes’ functional and cognitive recovery.